Ramblings: Posted every Monday.

Ashley McLeo

1. For all those not aware of your awesomeness, what should we know about you?My name is Ashley McLeo. I'm a fantasy fanatic and author of The Starseed Trilogy. It's my goal to weave what I call "smart magic", mythology, and history into every piece I write. I have a very soft spot for witches. Also, I'm training to become a yoga instructor, which is super fun and keeps my body moving after all the sitting of writing!

2. Why do you write?I used to have the day job that I hated. It left me bored and uninspired to go into the office every day. I started writing because I thought I needed a creative outlet and it grew into much more than that. It grew into a love I never knew I had. Don't get me wrong I've always loved stories and have been a prodigious reader my entire life, but I never knew I wanted to write them until I did. Now I write because I love entertaining others with my stories, almost as much as I love writing them.

3. What writers inspire you?

JK Rowling for creating a world that captured our world by storm. Also, she's a damn smart woman.

Deborah Harkness author of The All Souls Trilogy. She writes the "smartest magic" I've ever read and her writing is lovely.

George R.R. Martin. I mean that world! And HOW does he keep all those character and their story lines in his head?

Joanna Penn because she's a smart indie author who treats writing like a business as much as an art. Her books are entertaining and I've gotten so many great business tips from her!

4. What does a typical writing session look like? Usually, I grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit down on my couch with my laptop and start working. Sometimes, when it's not too hot or cold or I just need absolute quiet, I go to my writers garret (yes, I really do have an adorable, tiny, attic office but the insulation is terrible!). I write until I hit a point where I'm not sure where it is I'm heading and then I get up to make more tea or grab my phone and play around on Twitter (terrible habit!). When I really need to get stuff done I keep my phone in a separate room because as they say, out of sight out of mind. I can write up to 3 hours a day right now, but can edit far longer.

5. What are you currently working on?I'm currently working on two projects. The most important is book three in The Starseed Trilogy, tentatively titled Rising of Three.The second project is a side novella to that same series titled Siren Falling, A Starseed Universe Novella. Right now, I'm having an easier time with the novella than tying up my series so I tend to gravitate toward that.

6. What do you love about this piece of writing?For Rising of Three I LOVE getting into Sara, the third and youngest sister's head. I split the series to add a POV in each book so I feel like I know Lily (book one - Prophecy of Three POV) and Evelyn (added in book two - Souls of Three), Sara's older sisters well by this point, but Sara has always been the hardest to crack. My readers tend to agree she is the most mysterious. Sara’s past is murky and she had no real family until now. I've always known Sara's primary issue/character arc but it's been a pleasure to dive deeper into her mind.

For Siren Falling I'm really enjoying living Selma's life through her! She's a siren descended from the sirens of the Odyssey and is fed up with living on the tiny Spanish Island of Menorca. She wants to move to NYC and live the big life. So she does and chaos ensues when she uses her man enticing powers a bit too much in the Big Apple. Selma is sassy, fun, and a bit selfish which is enjoyable to write.

7. Give us a little sneak peak, what insights can you share about the main character?Sara wants nothing more than to REALLY feel a part of her new family, the McKay clan. She's the most easy going out of her, Lily, and Evelyn and is absolutely the peacekeeper sister. Still, deep down she still feels like she really doesn't fit in and hasn't worked hard enough to deserve all the love that now surrounds her. She feels unworthy. This stems from her terrible, emotionally distant adoptive family. Her feelings will affect her actions near the end of Rising of Three.

​In Siren Falling Selma will learn that what she thought she wanted wasn't at all what will make her happy. Also, that her mother was totally right.

​8. What is the hardest thing about writing? For me, it's my tendency to just start. I make my story lines very complex and even the smallest mention can come back and mean something big later on. I really should plan/outline but until now I haven't. I'm a recovering pantser trying to become a plotter (starting with Siren Falling).

​9. Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?JK Rowling. Man people don't realize just how smart she really is. Besides writing good children's books that even adults loved, she's an amazing business woman. To retain the e-book rights to a series as large as the Harry Potter series when you know your publisher would die to have them (and probably was willing to give her tons of money for them) was an incredibly smart, strategic move on her part. I believe her business acumen was pretty unforeseen in an industry where most writers just take the deal they're offered. I think that's why she is where she is today. I need tips from her! Not to mention, she seems like a good human being with such an interesting life story. :)OK, I’ll stop fan girling now . . .

10. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a new writer?Write Prophecy of Three and Souls of Three completely before you release them. Also, outline the entire series! I was a pure pantser for The Starseed Trilogy and while it's worked out this time, I'm NOT doing that again.

Abigail Carlson

​1. For all those not aware of your awesomeness, what should we know about you?I am southern girl, through and through. I love watching football on the weekends and I eat my weight in boiled peanuts every year.

2. Why do you write?To get out of my small town. I want to go places, but I can't always go there physically. In my debut novel, A Crown of Ashes, I obviously can't walk down the streets of that world. But it doesn't mean I can't visit. Through writing, I not only am able to create new worlds, but I can say that I've traveled different worlds.3. What writers inspire you?Sabaa Tahir would be at the top of my list followed by Francine Rivers. Sabaa Tahir has written my favorite YA fantasy series called An Ember In The Ashes and if you haven't read it, you totally should. Francine Rivers wrote the vastly famous book Redeeming Love and I'm so obsessed with her prose. My goal is to one day meet these authors so I can thank them or what they have done for me and my writing.

4. What does a typical writing session look like?I don't have a set time of the day that I write. I usually write in the afternoon and then I'll be done for the day. Life catches up so I have to put my WIP on the backburner. I try to finish a chapter per session. Just like reading, the end of a chapter is a good place to stop.

5. What are you currently working on?My debut novel is called A Crown of Ashes. It's an epic fantasy story about a runaway princess, an illegitimate emperor and a ruthless gladiator, each with his and her own vendetta. That's all I'll say for now being that I'm still on the first draft! Stay tuned for more!

6. What do you love about this piece of writing?It's my first WIP. I've never worked on another novel before this that I wanted to get published. It's been with me for six years and I can't give it up. I love the story and my characters despite how frustrating they can be sometimes. It might sound like I'm in love with my WIP and that's because I am. Be expecting RSVPs to our wedding soon. Haha.

7. Give us a little sneak peak, what insights can you share about the main character?I actually have three main characters but I will talk about one. Her name is Kira and she is stronger than I hope I ever have to prove. She's a fighter and she will never let anyone get in the way of what she wants. She's also a bit of a brat.8. What is the hardest thing about writing?To keep going when you don't feel like it. Any writer will tell you there are days when you just don't feel like writing. You don't feel guilty when you have a genuine excuse for not writing. But sometimes your only excuse is that you don't feel like it. That's when it's hardest to push through and make magic happen. But I find that some of my best writing occurs when I just didn't feel like it.9. Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?Audrey Hepburn. She is someone I greatly look up to and someone I believe everyone should as well. She was beautiful, kind, brave and smart. She was everything a woman should aspire to be. I would love to sit down and talk to her about her life. She has such an inspiring story.

10. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a new writer?Don't give up on yourself. My WIP has taken six years because I kept walking away from it. I didn't like the story, it didn't really make sense so I pretended like it wasn't there. Writers need to write and create. It's part of our DNA. I feel like a part of me is missing when I'm not writing, whether on a keyboard or in my head. You're going to write some crap--I still do, in fact--but that's no excuse to stop. Keep going and one day, like me, you'll fall in love with your story and you won't be able to give it up.

H.A. Waring

​I grew up with an imagination too big for the little girl trapped inside a rather ordinary, non-magical body. Having read stories by C.S. Lewis, J.K Rowling, and the man himself, J.R.R. Tolkien, I dreamed big. (And by BIG, I mean dragons!) There wasn't anything that I didn't feel I couldn't accomplish after reading those stories. All except one thing, to write my own story.

​Now, I know what you're thinking. "But H.A. aren't you supposed to be lifting us up? Telling us how to do it!?" Well, here's the thing. I don't know how to do it. I don't know the perfect formula because I'm still working on finishing my first draft. That's right. I haven't finished my YA Fantasy novel yet. The key word is yet because I still believe that I can do this. Even better, I believe in you. (Yes, I'm talking to you. Don't roll your eyes at me! Just sit down and listen!)

Here are a few things I've learned along the way. From one doubtful writer to another (unless you've got confidence. In which case own the shit out of that confidence, and NEVER let it go!)​On to the list!

Outline:

​I know every writer says this, but I can't stress this enough. You don't have to go full-blown crazy as I do. With the floor covered in index cards, sharpie dotting your arms and a very questionable cup of coffee either from that morning or last night. Just do a little something. Simple notes. Anything at all, just to keep all your dragons in a row.

Learn your audience:

It doesn't matter what you like to write, this is important. Whether we like it or not, trends are a "thing." Now, that's not to say you have to write those trends because screw them! You can write whatever the heck you want! However, knowing what trends are prominent in your genre will help you get a better understanding of what ideas are working and which ones…well aren't. Don't be afraid to push the limits, and don't be scared to do it your way. Just keep up with your genre and know what's going on.

Learn your weaknesses and strengths:

​These go hand in hand. You can't possibly improve without knowing where you excel and where you flatline; which brings me to my next topic!

Share your work:

​This has been the hardest thing for me. For years, I cowered away in my tiny dark cave hoarding all my work, guarded by my dragon, never allowing a single bit of my work to see the outside world. I wasted so much time, never sharing my ideas or work, all for what? Just for me to be exactly where I am right now, still finishing my draft. Don't get me wrong; sharing is scary. I have a near panic attack every time, but sharing my work got people talking. It got people asking questions. It got them telling me (Some even screaming it) that I was good. Honestly, that has made all the difference. It helps silence the little voices in my head who tell me. "You can't do this." Those little voices who get me to spend two hours reading the same paragraph screaming that it's awful. There will always be those who don't believe in you, but there will always be a sea of people who do, but you can't find them until you start sharing, which brings me to my final thought.

Make friends and network:

​This one sounds like it doesn't belong here, but I promise you, it does. For years, I have always struggled to talk about my writing with my friends. Not that they don't support me, but more like they just don't get it. They don't get the hours of painstaking exhaustion looking over the same sentence, or the countless nights of no sleep where I worry about that scene I wrote five hours ago. Joining twitter gave me that opportunity to meet other writers, just like me who have a slight addiction to coffee, GIF use, and the occasional writing meltdown. We all understand the struggle.

We've all been there, and we are all here to support your journey, whether your journey is just beginning or nearing the end. There is always a writer ready to swoop in and make all the difference.​That's all I've got. My dream is to inspire those as I have been inspired and I know that whoever is reading this, is going to be a great inspiration.

Shout out to my very own saving grace, the #writerbaetribe for screaming a lot louder than the rude voices in my head. You three make all the difference, and I am so thankful.

There seems to be a common misconception, from those who do not read/write fantasy, that authors who write fantasy have it the easiest. That we can create worlds where anything is possible, that our ideas aren't as refined or our plots lack complexity because magic can, and often does, save the day.

But just as in many other genres, realism is vital in fantasy. Yes, we create worlds were dragons exist, where spaceships cross the galaxy or a mystical pool can grant you immortality. But within those concepts we always aim for the balance of realism. Because without it the reader feels cheated, may lose interest of find plot holes -- nothing that we want.

In this series of blog posts, I will be exploring how I create realism in a completely fake world.

What would you guys like to see next? Realistic land/maps? Realistic beasts? Making names that sound real? Societies? Travel? Injuries? I'm open to suggestions... Let me know what you want to see in the comments below or on Twitter.

Realistic magic?

​Magic is awesome. It can inspire awe and wonderment, and just as easily bring terror and despair. It is the tool of both hero and villain alike. So how do we get magic to seem real?

A realistic magic system is based on - - yup, rules. But not just any rules. They have to be logical and clear rules. The fastest way to kill believably is to make system with no rules.​​There is no point in a plot if someone with unlimited magic can just wander in and deus-ex-machina all over the place. There is no tension when a reader knows that your protagonist can just ​Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo their way out of the problem. Magic without limits... you could even destroy the whole earth, create a new one... *hands flailing* it just makes no sense to leave it so open for no reason.

​If you are giving me side eye and groaning "Really, Mel!" I get it. A lot of people feel that rules make magic (and everything else) dull and lacking wonderment. But that's not true, magic is a tool. What you do with it inside the rules can be just as wonderful and beautiful as before, but now you have the added bonus of believably. Even "wild magic" needs rules through which it operates.

To make this a little easier, I came up with a system for myself. The 4 C's. Each magic system (if you have varying magics within races/species you'll probably need to do this more than once) will be more realistic if you even just briefly examine the confines, cost, competence, and consistency of your magic system and its users.

To create limits you need to understand what people might want that is beyond the powers of magic, is it to raise the dead, create love, form something from nothing, spawn life or new life forms?

Once you understand what people want that is out of reach, you need to think about why they can't have the things they want. What has imposed these laws: God/s? Cost of magic is too great? The wrong race/species or bloodline? Imbalance unleashes a swarm of magic leeching ticks on the world? There has to be a someone who has attempted to gain something outside of the limits and it went horribly wrong. Their story should persuade others from trying to push the limits of magic.

Okay, so you know what is can't be done through magic and why it can't be attained... congratulations you've just set limits to your magic system. Go you.

Cost:The idea of getting something for nothing doesn't sit well with people, we eyeball it with suspicion looking for a catch. Because there always is a catch -- granted not always a negative catch, but there will be a consequence to the action. Magic should be the same. There should be something that limits the way in which people use their magic. Some cost for the creation of magic.

Main questions: What does a character lose when using magic? Is the impact worth it?

There are four types of cost that I can think of, I am sure you guys can think of some amazing consequences for your magic system. The four costs:

Physical (long/short term): this often presents itself as a loss of energy (mana/essence/spirit/etc.) and will give the characters exhaustion or fatigue. Use too much magic and they are unable to function, use even more and it could actually drain the character to the point of dying. It will make magic battles tense as people have to calculate how much power and when. (e.g. Use too much too soon and you are vulnerable.)

Mental (long/short term): this one could be that the magic uses joy, remorse, or even sanity to operate. The purpose of this would be to drain your character of something inside of them. Perhaps addiction plays a role in the cost of magic. While there is no obvious physical impact, it could create an interesting relationships between how the character feels about magic and the reasoning for why they use it. This cost usually plays into the character arc rather than creating tension.

Sacrifice: maybe this is a limb, some blood or a goat; something must be given in order for the magic to manifest. This presents a bunch of issues about how magic would be used in your world. While letting blood might work on a battlefield, a goat would not (imagine all the goats with tiny battle helmets fainting in fear - poor fellas). This cost brings up mountains of issues around morality (is the cost of a life/limb worth the magic received?). It calls into question the likability of the character performing the magic. And also raises limitations based on availability.

External: This usually involves taking something from somewhere other than the person wielding it. This could be potions, alchemy or even just killing the living things around the caster. Like the previous cost it can bring up question about morality and availability. This cost also raises issues for magic wielders working in groups/teams. How do the team members feel about having their energy taken, things dying, having to collect and carry stuff. Do they feel that it is worth it?

If you are really feeling like diving in, you could mix and match theses costs within your system. Just remember that the cost should match the outcome (lesser spell = lesser cost, greater spell = greater cost).

Competence:Usually magic, whether skill based or inborn talent, has levels of ability. There are casters who for whatever reason have more magic at their disposal. This uneven power adds layers to the realism of your magic system. In the world, not everyone has the same strength, intelligence or ability to eat ice cream. So add diversity to what the magic wielders in your world can do. This will also add tension for battles if there is the possibility that others are better at magic than you main character/s.

Main questions: Is everyone on a level playing field? How do you become more powerful?

Levels of competence often spring from various causes. Here are a few that I thought of:

Education: Do you have to learn and memorize spells, ingredients or dance moves in order to activate the magic? How easy is it to gain more complex levels of learning? How many years until you are considered competent? Is there a period of learning where you can't actually use magic yet?

Age: Do you become more powerful as you age? Or do your powers fail as you get older? Are you able to control your magic during puberty; or does it do wonky, embarrassing things?

Stamina: If you work out (mentally or physically) are you able to do more magic?

Blood lines: Does being born of a certain family mean that you can do more magic? How does this affect their social standing? Are people interested in them (romantically) in order to strengthen blood lines? What happens when someone of a lower and higher blood lines get together, is the baby stronger/weaker? Do certain magics run in certain lines? What happens when you mix two powerful lines?

Species: Do certain species have more power than others? Why? Are they immune to some of the costs? How?

Consistency: A confused reader is a reader that is no longer immersed in your book. While surprise is a good thing in your novel, confusion is not. Confusion means that the reader has imagined your world one way, with rules as to how it should function and you've gone and pooped on their ideas. Readers don't like that: its not nice to be pooped on.

Consistency gets rid of the pooping (I need to stop writing poop). If you have established a rule; for example, making a koala magically appear gives you an Australian accent for a month, then your protagonist start throwing magically appearing koalas at the antagonist, but with no accent, people are going to be suspicious of all the rules you have created.

Usually it is the protagonist that breaks the rules. The chosen one is above the rules... no they aren't you have just made a walking, talking dues ex machina. This character now has zero believably and the reader has zero reasons to care about their "plight".

Main questions: Are any of my characters breaking my limits or rules? Have I foreshadowed this?

As the question above states, you can break the limitations or conventions, it just involves letting your reader know that your rule isn't really a rule, it's more of a suggestion.

Rule: Magic can not bring a person back from the dead

Suggestion: It is believed that magic can not bring a person back from the dead.

Suggestion: Our records show that humans do not possess magic

A simple change of your phrasing changes a confused "What?" into a delighted "Oh!"

Remember that rules are meant to be twisted and ignored in the right circumstances. These are just what worked for me. If you know that you are breaking them for a reason, it is more effective than just blundering in blindly.

That's it guys. Sorry for the late post. I hope you've enjoyed it.Until next time: write stuff that is real - - especially when it's made up.